After-School All Stars Hawaii is hosting an event in celebration of the launch of after-school programming for middle school students at three Big Island schools: Ka‘u and Kea‘au Middle Schools and Pahoa Intermediate. The launch event and announcement goes hand-in-hand with the recent initiative proposed by Lt. Governor Tsutsui to bring after-school programs to all middle and intermediate schools in the State of Hawaii.

Launch event at Kea‘au Middel School will include performances by All-Star participants from the three schools including hula, chorus and ukulele entertainment.

Executive Director Dawn Dunbar, Lt. Governor Tsutui , Senator Tokuda, and participating school principals will be available for interviews.

A 5:30 p.m. reception at The Hilo Yacht Club (77 Laehala Street) will follow the launch event.

Founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1990, After-School All-Stars Hawaii’s programs have been designed to prepare middle school youth (6th, 7th, 8th graders) for high school, college, and the 21st century by offering academic support, enrichment opportunities and health/fitness activities. After-School All-Stars serves 80,000 youth annually through after school and summer programs in 12 chapters across the country. Hawaii is the newest chapter formed in 2009, and now operates in eight middle schools on Oahu and three middle schools on the Big Island. To learn more, visit www.asashawaii.org.